Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Origins of Gods and Beings: Daksha’s Progeny

Devanagari script

अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्यो विरूपाक्षो ऽथ रैवतः हरश्च बहुरूपश्च त्र्यम्बकश्च सुरेश्वरः //

Transliteration

ajaikapādahirbudhnyo virūpākṣo 'tha raivataḥ haraśca bahurūpaśca tryambakaśca sureśvaraḥ //

Translation

Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya, Virūpākṣa, and Raivata; also Hara, Bahurūpa, Tryambaka, and Sureśvara—these are the revered names and forms of Rudra.

Word by Word

• अजैकपाद (ajai­kapāda): ‘Aja-Eka-pāda’, the one-footed (Rudra-form) associated with the cosmic pillar/axis

• अहिर्बुध्न्य (ahirbudhnya): ‘serpent of the deep/foundation’, a Rudra-form linked to the waters and the underworld base

• विरूपाक्ष (virūpākṣa): ‘the odd/variegated-eyed one’, a name of Rudra

• रैवत (raivataḥ): ‘Raivata’, a Rudra-name connected with the Raivata (line/period) tradition

• हर (haraḥ): ‘Hara’, the remover (of sins/sufferings)

• बहुरूप (bahurūpaḥ): ‘many-formed’, the multiform deity

• त्र्यम्बक (tryambakaḥ): ‘three-eyed’, Śiva/Rudra

• सुरेश्वर (sureśvaraḥ): ‘lord of the gods’, sovereign among the devas

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu in the Matsya Purana’s early cosmological discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Ajaikapada
• Ahirbudhnya
• Virupaksha
• Raivata
• Hara
• Bahurupa
• Tryambaka
• Sureshvara

Tags

• Deity Names
• Rudra Forms
• Shaiva Iconography
• Puranic Cosmology
• Manvantara Context

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

Indirectly, it situates Rudra’s many forms as cosmic powers invoked across cycles of creation and dissolution; the verse itself is primarily a litany of Rudra-names rather than a Pralaya narrative.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

Such name-lists function as authoritative sacred recitations: a king or householder may honor these Rudra-forms in daily worship and public rites for protection, stability of the realm/household, and removal of obstacles (Hara).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse supports Rudra-upāsanā through nāma-japa and identification of iconographic forms (e.g., Tryambaka ‘three-eyed’, Bahurūpa ‘multiform’), which guide temple icon selection and consecration themes in Puranic practice.